WITH WHOM AM I NUMBERED

During the final days of his earthly sojourn the ancient prophet Lehi feebly laid his hands upon the head of Zoram, who had spent the early years of his life as a servant/slave of the unrighteous governor of Jerusalem, Laban, and blessed this true friend of his son Nephi with adoption into his family and, therefore, as a member of the House of Israel.

Although few of us are able to fully appreciate the momentousness of this blessing, we can imagine somewhat the significance to Zoram’s posterity. By being numbered with the seed of Nephi, they were freed from the bonds of servitude, they became co-heirs of the royal Priesthood and the joys of freedom could perpetually swell in their hearts.

From father Lehi, Zoram had been given an inheritance which not only had great importance during mortality of things which would mold and decay, but also a gift of those things of eternal and everlasting significance.
The rereading of this account always gives me opportunity to pause and ponder the influence those groups I may be numbered with are having on my mortal and eternal life.

Does the throng I mingle with go forth demanding an ample share of earthly riches in order to assure their continued comforts and pleasures, or is my crowd concerned with increasing the comfort of the weary and lifting the standard of the lives of the poor and needy?

Have I cast my lot with those who manipulate their fellow beings, subtly seducing them to believe their own special interpretation of ‘right’, or have I joined with the band who subscribe to the understanding that we are all but stumbling fellow seekers, trying to find light in darkness in constant need of guides who see afar off?

Do those around me have their finger rigidly outstretched pointing out the blemishes of their neighbors or am I blessed with the companionship of those concerned with self-evaluation and introspection?

Does the group I run with live life as if it were an amusement park, perpetually lining up at the gateway to the next ride, seeking some unattainable illusive pleasure, or do I enjoy the company of those who have their hearts full of joy, induced by dedication to the Lord’s labors of love?

Am I constantly surrounded by those who believe that they have been given the right to reign by administering death and destruction to obtain their destinies or do I find my friends speaking of finding ways to bring peace through showing forth an abundance of kindness and love?

Do those with whom I am numbered continually make choices which place them in chains of captivity or am I with those who make choices based on truths which will make them free?

Do I find my days filled with negative comments about all of the world’s ills because of the words which spew from the months of those who surround me or am I constantly reminded of the many positive and blessed conditions of life by those who accompany my daily walk?

Do my fellows still wander to and fro drifting with every breath of wind or do I walk with those who find their steps firmly planted on the pathway of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Men have ever been and will ever be both a reflection of and reflector of, the groups they have inherited or have chosen to be numbered among.

The passing of years alters the makeup of our peers, but many times present company is both a fulfillment of past associations and a foreshadowing of future acquaintances.

The understanding that we are both blessed and cursed by the associations we enjoy or suffer through, should cause us to indulge in genuine inspection of those we are presently numbered among.

The further reality that the cleaving of lives on this earth becomes a determining fore-ordination of our eternal companionships, should be sufficient cause to motivate us to choose well this day with whom we are to be numbered.

If we were to pause and consider the effect our choices of those we are numbered among will have as a lasting legacy upon our children and our children’s children, I believe we would not only choose more carefully our earthly crowd, but earnestly seek Divine guidance as we align ourselves with those with whom we are to be eternally numbered.
It well might be that we are not only saved by what we believe, but also with whom we mingle and share beliefs.